Group also hears from Mexico Ambassador to U.S. Martha Bárcena, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer

WASHINGTON (June 19, 2019) – Members of the Border Trade Alliance Board of Directors were on Capitol Hill Wednesday, urging lawmakers from both parties to support congressional passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the successor agreement to the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.

The BTA, which represents both public and private entities on issues relating to cross-border trade, also welcomed Mexico Ambassador to the United States Martha Bárcena at a luncheon where she announced Mexico’s nearing ratification of USMCA. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer also addressed the luncheon audience and provided an update on the recent North American Mayors Summit and his advocacy for USMCA.

“We thank all of the senators and representatives who took the time today to visit with the BTA and hear our positive, pro-growth message of trade and cross-border cooperation. We were left with the impression that if the agreement were brought for a vote today, it would pass,” BTA Chair Paola Avila said. “We are hopeful that Congress will, in a bipartisan fashion, act swiftly to ratify the USMCA. Mexico’s Senate approved the accord today; we hope the U.S. and Canada will follow close behind and preserve the trilateral, tariff-free trade framework that has been so essential to North American prosperity over the last 25 years.”

The BTA also discussed the recent redeployment of Customs and Border Protection officers away from ports of entry to assist Border Patrol with the migrant crisis; the need to ensure a so-called “seasonality” provision does not get included in the USMCA or other legislation; and a supplemental spending bill to address staffing shortfalls within CBP.

In addition to its meetings today, the BTA on Thursday is co-hosting with the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute the sixth-annual edition of their Building a Competitive U.S.-Mexico Border conference, which features guest speakers and panel discussions on the most pressing issues facing the border region, including trade policies and processes, infrastructure, and the binational relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.

“The BTA appreciates the opportunity to visit with our representatives and senators who are responsible for shaping the policies that impact our members’ businesses, communities, and quality of life,” BTA President Britton Clarke said. “We believe bipartisan agreement on the USMCA is within our reach, so we welcomed this opportunity to urge members of both parties to continue their diligent work to advance the agreement to a vote.

“We also look forward once again to partnering with the Wilson Center Mexico Institute for our daylong joint conference, which will examine a number of issues affecting the business, trade, and investment climate along the U.S.-Mexico border.”

Since 1986, the BTA has served as a grassroots, non-profit organization that provides a forum for discussion and advocacy on issues pertaining to the environment, border development, quality of life and trade in the Americas. A network of public and private sector representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada, BTA’s core values include a commitment to improving the quality of life of border communities through trade and commerce.

 

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